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Many new light sport aircraft designs are being introduced since the
introduction of the new light sport aircraft category and the sport
pilot license. The majority of these are being designed and manufactured
outside of the United States. A company that is breaking the trend to
outsource design and manufacturing of their product overseas is Icon
Aircraft manufacturers of the Icon A-5. The Icon A-5 was developed by
a team of U.S. automotive designers and a group of former employees of
U.S. based Scaled Composites, who were responsible for designs such as
the Global Flyer, and Spaceship One. The influence of this new
generation of aircraft designers can be seen in the bold futuristic
looking design of the Icon A-5.
The Icon A-5 amphibian features side-by-side seating, in a high wing
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configuration. Pilots sit below and in front of the wing, providing
excellent visibility. Power is supplied by the Rotax 912 S 100 hp
four-cylinder four stroke aircraft engine. This gives the Icon A-5 a
cruise speed of over 100 mph using unleaded automotive fuel.
The Icon A-5 utilizes a center hull, with two short outriggers for
added flotation located at the step. The aircraft is an amphibious
tricycle gear design with folding wings, which allow for easy storage
and trailering. In fact Icon has a plane on display folded down on a
trailer.
E.A.A. President Tom Poberezny introduced the founder and CEO of Icon
Aircraft Kirk
Hawkins to a very enthusiastic crowd at Airventure 2008. Many had been
waiting over an hour for the unveiling of the plane and they were not
disappointed. As the black cover was ceremoniously removed you could
hear the gasp of the crowd, this was replaced seconds later by applause
as Hawkins hit a switch and the wings rotated and folded back against
the fuselage.
The crowd then moved forward like a wave to get a closer look at the
plane's sports car like interior. According the Hawkins "it
not only has to perform well, it has to look like it performs well.? |
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